1. G-MAX JOINT SUPPORT
by Pawlabs
Has over 15 years combined experience within the pet grooming and nutrition industry. Her expertise is focused on the latest research in treatments & remedies in relationship to arthritic dogs.*
Has over 15 years combined experience within the pet grooming and nutrition industry. Her expertise is focused on the latest research in treatments & remedies in relationship to arthritic dogs.*
What really makes a dog joint supplement effective? With a vast number of supplements on the market, there can be confusion over what makes a supplement the best in the first place. To make matters doubly unclear, research states that over 60% of Amazon reviews are likely falsified, written by paid promoters.1,2 So, how does one decide what to buy? Our advice is to just stick with the facts.
With a vast number of supplements on the market, there can be confusion over what makes a supplement the best in the first place. To make matters doubly unclear, research states that over 60% of Amazon reviews are likely falsified, written by paid promoters.1,2 So, how does one decide what to buy? Our advice is to just stick with the facts.
Prioritize safety of a product and examine the key ingredients before anything else. A good place to start is by conducting research on what key ingredients are actually effective. This allows you to compare products. Side-by-side analysis is the way to most objectively choose the right supplement. Also consider how digestible and easily fed the supplement is to your dog.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin: are the building blocks of cartilage.3 They also stimulate the body to produce cartilage and protect chondrocyte cells, which help maintain cartilage structure. Chondrocytes potentially slow down cartilage deterioration as well.4 According to the College of Life Sciences, UCD Dublin, dogs who received a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin had statistically significant improvements showing reductions in pain and the severity of the condition.5
Glucosamine and Chondroitin are the building blocks of cartilage.3 They also stimulate the body to produce cartilage and protect chondrocyte cells, which help maintain cartilage structure. Chondrocytes potentially slow down cartilage deterioration as well.4
According to the College of Life Sciences, UCD Dublin, dogs who received a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin had statistically significant improvements showing reductions in pain and the severity of the condition.5
The best glucosamine for dogs is made from the shells of crustaceans such as shrimp, crab, and crayfish, while chondroitin is sourced from animal cartilage. When in supplement form, check if the manufacturer follows the precise ratio of these ingredients to each other. This will help avoid certain brands with imbalanced formulation that can cause adverse effects to your dog’s health.
Thus, we must keep an eye out for these ingredients when comparing different supplements. If a product lacks these essentials, it’s a deal breaker. As always, please consult with your veterinarian before feeding your dog any supplement to better understand his or her specific needs. Below are notable ingredients that have shown potential in easing joint pain for dogs.
Glucosamine: This compound occurs naturally and is made up of Glucose (a sugar) and Glutamine (an amino acid). It helps with creating molecules that are vital in the formation of joint cartilage so as to boost mobility and flexibility.3 
Chondroitin: This is the main sulfate component of cartilage. It enhances cartilage elasticity, helps to retain sufficient properties for shock absorption and promotes retention of water in the joint.6 
MSM: Otherwise known as Methylsulfonylmethane, this is a form of sulphur and is highly beneficial for easing joint pain, canine arthritis, and joint inflammation.7 
Turmeric: It contains curcumin, which inhibits enzymes that are active in the process of inflammation that eventually results in painful joints. It also has antioxidant properties and antioxidants reduce damage to joint cell walls, thus reducing pain. 8 
Green Lipped Mussel: It is a great dietary supplement for muscles, nervous system and the heart, and also ensures healthy bones, thanks to a significant amount of calcium. Similarly, it is used in treating hypocalcemia, a condition of low calcium levels.9 
Hyaluronic Acid: It is a main component of both the cartilage and synovial fluid that bathes the joints. The synovial fluid binds to the water and creates a thick gelatinous substance that lubricates the cartilage and protects it from wear.6 
Calcium Carbonate: This is one of the best sources of calcium and an essential supplement for healthy joints, muscles and strong bones. Your dog’s body cannot produce calcium on its own and derives it from food.10 
Other Helpful Ingredients:
Other Helpful Ingredients:We created this exhaustive list with extensive market research and analysis, measuring the overall value of the product - key ingredients, value, return policy, and overall customer satisfaction. We weighed all these factors to assign scores for the overall rating. This methodology is designed to present information in a boiled down fashion to save buyers’ time.
We compiled the list below of our most recommended dog joint supplements available today. Our internal research took into account over 70 joint supplement brands and their ingredients. The top 3 products were chosen based on the overall projected effectiveness and their comprised key ingredients.
by Pawlabs
OVERALL RATING
INGREDIENT LIST
KEY INGREDIENTS INCLUDED
PROJECTED EFFECTIVENESS
PRICE / VALUE
RETURN POLICY
G-Max Joint Support by Pawlabs is our #1 choice. This supplement scored highest in the number of overall key ingredients in the formula found to be good for joint health. The supplement also has overwhelming positive reviews.11 So far, there are no known or reported side effects of G-max Joint Support. The product is made in the USA and is backed by a 60-day money back guarantee.
*Based on DogsDIY in-house aggregation of online reviews. Not a scientific study for defining scores and does not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit the product's website for complete information.
by Pawlabs
OVERALL RATING
INGREDIENT LIST
G-Max Joint Support by Pawlabs is our #1 choice. This supplement scored highest in the number of overall key ingredients in the formula found to be good for joint health. The supplement also has overwhelming positive reviews.11 So far, there are no known or reported side effects of G-max Joint Support. The product is made in the USA and is backed by a 60-day money back guarantee.
*Based on DogsDIY in-house aggregation of online reviews. Not a scientific study for defining scores and does not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit the product's website for complete information.
by VETLABS DIRECT
OVERALL RATING
INGREDIENT LIST
KEY INGREDIENTS INCLUDED
PROJECTED EFFECTIVENESS
PRICE / VALUE
RETURN POLICY
VetLabs Joint Care by VetLabs Direct is our #2 choice. This brand includes the essential key ingredients to promote dog joint health such as glucosamine, MSM, chondroitin, and many others which are linked to dog joint health based on the latest research and clinical studies. However, it lacks calcium carbonate/eggshell membrane—though not a deal-breaker, our experts still consider it to be an important component to the effectiveness of a dog joint supplement. Moreover, given that it's factory-direct, it costs cheaper than brand #1 but can only be purchased in bulks of 3, 5, or more.
*Based on DogsDIY in-house aggregation of online reviews. Not a scientific study for defining scores and does not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit the product's website for complete information.
by VETLABS DIRECT
OVERALL RATING
INGREDIENT LIST
VetLabs Joint Care by VetLabs Direct is our #2 choice. This brand includes the essential key ingredients to promote dog joint health such as glucosamine, MSM, chondroitin, and many others which are linked to dog joint health based on the latest research and clinical studies. However, it lacks calcium carbonate/eggshell membrane—though not a deal-breaker, our experts still consider it to be an important component to the effectiveness of a dog joint supplement. Moreover, given that it's factory-direct, it costs cheaper than brand #1 but can only be purchased in bulks of 3, 5, or more.
*Based on DogsDIY in-house aggregation of online reviews. Not a scientific study for defining scores and does not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit the product's website for complete information.
by Zesty Paws
.png)
OVERALL RATING
INGREDIENT LIST
KEY INGREDIENTS INCLUDED
PROJECTED EFFECTIVENESS
PRICE / VALUE
RETURN POLICY
Mobility Bites by Zesty Paws is our #3 choice. The supplement contains key ingredients shown to improve joint health, such as glucosamine, MSM, and chondroitin. However, a common complaint is the taste and smell.13 We recommend crushing it up and adding it to your dog’s wet food.
*Based on DogsDIY in-house aggregation of online reviews. Not a scientific study for defining scores and does not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit the product's website for complete information.
by Zesty Paws
OVERALL RATING
INGREDIENT LIST
Mobility Bites by Zesty Paws is our #3 choice. The supplement contains key ingredients shown to improve joint health, such as glucosamine, MSM, and chondroitin. However, a common complaint is the taste and smell.13 We recommend crushing it up and adding it to your dog’s wet food.
*Based on DogsDIY in-house aggregation of online reviews. Not a scientific study for defining scores and does not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit the product's website for complete information.
We are here to provide you inspiration with our growing collection of reviews, food recipes, and DIYs.
All write-ups are created by expert authors to deliver you easy-to-follow articles with your dog's welfare in mind.
We offer you practical tips and crafts to help you make the best out of the stuff in your home.
